Did a Gaming CEO Ask ChatGPT How to Dodge a $250 Million Payout? The Subnautica 2 Saga Just Got Weirder
AI Gaming News Author · IGN South Africa ·
A messy legal battle over a $250 million bonus for *Subnautica 2*'s founders just got wilder, with claims that Krafton's CEO allegedly used ChatGPT to brainstorm ways to avoid the payout and set up a 'secret task force' for a studio 'takeover' – a truly chaotic corporate deep dive.
Right, so you know how sometimes you accidentally summon a demon instead of a healing potion? Well, something equally chaotic, if slightly less fiery, seems to be unfolding behind the scenes of *Subnautica 2*. We're talking corporate shenanigans, a quarter-billion-dollar bonus, and, believe it or not, a potential assist from our favourite AI chatbot. Fair dinkum, this story is wilder than a rogue spell in a wizard's duel.
This deeply strange and increasingly complex narrative was first brought to light by IGN South Africa, with the original reporting from Vikki Blake. And, mate, it’s a doozy.
For months now, the chatter around *Subnautica 2* hasn't just been about deep-sea exploration and terrifying leviathans; it's been about the messy, public breakdown between its legendary developer, Unknown Worlds, and its parent company, Krafton. Specifically, a whopping $250 million bonus – an 'earnout' – that Krafton was due to pay to Unknown Worlds' founders, Charlie Cleveland and Max McGuire, after acquiring the studio back in October 2021.
Now, here’s where things get properly bonkers. Fresh legal filings, which surfaced recently, allege that Krafton’s CEO, CH Kim, got a tad frustrated with the acquisition contract. From his perspective, it was apparently a 'bad deal' for Krafton. You know, the kind of deal where you feel like you're being 'dragged around.' So, what’s a CEO to do when faced with a quarter-billion-dollar payout they’re not keen on? According to the filings, he allegedly turned to ChatGPT.
Yes, you read that right. The CEO of a major gaming conglomerate, purportedly, asked an AI to 'brainstorm ways to avoid paying the earnout.' Honestly, you'd think a wizard of the digital realm would have better backup practices, eh? Because, get this: ChatGPT, in its infinite, impartial wisdom, apparently advised that it would be 'difficult to cancel the earn-out.' Even the AI chatbot knew this was a sticky wicket! And when the founders asked for these illuminating AI conversations? Krafton allegedly claimed 'they no longer exist.' Convenient, that. It’s almost like trying to delete your browsing history after a particularly embarrassing Google search, but for corporate legal strategy.
But the alleged shenanigans didn't stop at a chat with an AI. The filings claim Krafton set up a 'secret task force' – codenamed 'Project X' (because of course it was) – with a simple mandate: either 'make a deal' with the founders on the earnout, or execute a 'Take Over' of Unknown Worlds. When the founders refused to play ball with Krafton's demands, well, Krafton apparently 'pulled the trigger.' It sounds less like corporate strategy and more like the plot of a slightly cheesy spy thriller, doesn't it?
This all culminated, according to reports over the summer, in *Subnautica 2*'s early access release being delayed to 2026. This delay, mind you, was reportedly 'against the wishes of the studio’s former leadership' and happened just months before that hefty $250 million bonus was due. Coincidence? My gently skeptical brain is sending me strong 'probably not' vibes. The founders argue the game was ready for a soft launch, citing playtest data, internal expert opinions from Krafton itself, and even a note from Krafton's global head of corporate development saying the game was ready for an August launch. So, what gives?
Krafton, naturally, isn't taking this lying down. In their own response to the lawsuit, they’ve accused the developers of 'resorting to litigation to demand a multimillion-dollar payout they haven't earned.' They further claim that the 'former leaders showed little interest in the development of Subnautica 2,' which, if true, would be a pretty tragic state of affairs for such a beloved franchise. Their focus, they maintain, is simply 'delivering the best possible game to Subnautica’s fans.' It’s the classic corporate line, isn't it? 'It’s all for the players!' – even when it involves firing people and alleged AI-assisted bonus-dodging.
To add yet another layer to this already overstuffed legal lasagna, Unknown Worlds itself – the current entity, mind you – later sued its *former* founders, Cleveland and McGuire (alongside former CEO Ted Gill), for allegedly stealing game design files before they were fired. Bloody hell, it’s like a corporate divorce settlement where both parties are suing each other for the toaster and the family photos. The sheer tangled web of this whole affair is enough to make a seasoned programmer pull their hair out.
But what about *Subnautica 2* itself, you might ask? Is it stuck in development hell while its corporate parents duke it out? Surprisingly, no. Unknown Worlds recently dropped a behind-the-scenes video, showcasing an all-new deep-sea predator and how they're using Unreal Engine 5 AI for lifelike behaviour. It’s a good sign that, despite the legal maelstrom, the dev team is still plugging away, trying to craft the beautiful, terrifying underwater world we all crave. Which, frankly, is a silver lining as big as a leviathan itself in this whole mess.
This whole saga is a fascinating, if somewhat grim, peek behind the curtain of big gaming acquisitions. It highlights the often-stark reality of 'earnout' clauses, where huge sums of money can create incredible tension and spark dramatic corporate maneuvers. It also throws a curious spotlight on the emerging role of AI in corporate decision-making – even if it's allegedly for ethically questionable purposes. As this goes to court, it’ll be a vital case study, not just for the gaming industry, but for anyone watching the evolving relationship between human ambition and artificial intelligence. We'll be watching this space, popcorn in hand, probably with ChatGPT open on another tab just in case we need legal advice for our own virtual empires.
Tags: Gaming Industry, Subnautica 2, Legal Drama, Krafton, AI in Business
Original article: IGN South Africa